12/20 Intention is What Got My Work Seen
My work didn’t get better when I filled up my SD cards. It actually took intentionality for one image to travel to thousands of screens.
March, 2018. Taken at an Enough is Enough Protest in Easton, Pennsylvania.
I started my photography journey in 2018 during an “Enough is Enough” when I was 16 years old. I wanted to capture EVERYONE’S stories. I had only had my $300 Canon T6 for about 2 months, and LOADED up an SD card.
Editing was a nightmare.
I ended up picking the 10 I liked the most and thought told the best story of the event and decided to work on a YouTube video instead that showcased the event as well!
As I grew older, I recognized a pattern. There was no preparation, no guidance, no schedule of the event; just, “I should get a picture of that! *FULL AUTO SHUTTER*”
The thing is, it wasn’t the amount of pictures that I was taking, but rather it was the lack of intentionality I had when taking the photos in my early career that led to a lot of unnecessary pain.
It wasn’t until transitioning into graduation photos where I had a shoot with Climbing Club President, JJ Wong—someone who had quite literally transformed Penn State’s climbing scene overnight from a small interest club, to a student-run organization that podiums at the national level in the Climbing world. I knew I had to deliver.
Photo by Daniel Gajda. JJ taking 3rd place at the USA Climbing Collegiate Nationals Competition in March of 2024
I wanted to get them in action. I wanted to capture their essence,.
The only way to do both was to quite literally get on the wall with them. So, we bouldered to the top of this route and as JJ went for a hold near me, I took my shot.
May 2024, JJ Wong bouldering in their gown from Penn State University.
This picture now lives on Penn State’s official Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn page with thousands of likes, views, and shares globally.
December, 2025. Exhibit at the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC
Now, every week, I make it my mission to go to a museum and capture something I find interesting with the goal of being extremely intentional with my images. It could be an interesting exhibit, it could be the people watching the exhibit, or it could be another factor, but the goal is to practice serious intentionality in order to find voice.
December, 2025. Couple looking at an exhibit at the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC.
Usually, this involves me laying down in the middle of a museum, but that’s okay, because I go from 5 feet tall, to 2 feet tall which avoids EVERYONE’S eyeline. Before I knew it, I’m photographing viewers of museum art and I’m still firing that shutter quick to hit the moment, but the image has SO much more intention, and purpose.
Now, I go into my shoots with purpose because I’m affirmed by the results it brought before. I know my vision ahead of time. I know the intention of my clients, AND I know the intention of my photos are supposed to have. Nothing is left to a “happy surprise.” Everything has a purpose.